Living in a foreign country provides the opportunity to celebrate holidays in multiple languages, and Mother’s Day is no exception! In my family, we not only celebrate Mother’s Day in English but also in Spanish, allowing us to honor our cultural heritage and create meaningful connections to our roots. It’s a chance to relive cherished memories from my own childhood and share those experiences with my children. By celebrating Mother’s Day in Spanish, we reinforce their diverse backgrounds and instill a sense of excitement and pride in their heritage. Together, we create new traditions and beautiful memories that embrace the richness of our multicultural lives.

While my kids prepare for Mother’s Day at school by creating projects and cards, it’s the perfect time for me to reinforce the importance of learning a second language. I take every opportunity to review Spanish vocabulary, practice listening, reading, and writing skills. Here are some of my favorite activities to celebrate Mother’s Day in Spanish with my children:

Mother’s Day in Spanish Songs

I love starting the day by listening to “Himno a las Madres,” a beautiful hymn written by Trina de Moya from the Dominican Republic. It was a tradition to listen and sing this hymn on Mother’s Day when I was growing up. Now, I play it for my children on our Spanish Mother’s Day, and they are curious to know the meaning behind the lyrics. The hymn begins with these touching words: “Come the inhabitants of the country and the city, let us sing a hymn of intense filial love, let us sing to mothers their tenderness, their eagerness, and their noble attribute of unselfish devotion.” Isn’t it beautiful?!

We also enjoy listening to classic Spanish Mother’s Day songs and discovering how this day is celebrated in different parts of the world.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas in Spanish

Here are my top activities to do with my children on Mother’s Day. Each of these activities is a heartfelt gift, although they may not be tangible presents, they are made and prepared with love!

Breakfast Preparation

Cooking together is one of our favorite family activities. I adore watching my children explore new textures and flavors. It’s an adventure for the whole family, and Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion for it. I use this opportunity to practice giving directions in Spanish. We plan ahead for our Mother’s Day breakfast. With the younger ones, I simply ask them what they’d like to prepare, and encourage them to answer in Spanish. On the other hand, my older son comes up with a recipe, writes down the ingredients and steps, and takes the lead in guiding everyone. I love it!

 

Here is an example of what we use to plan for our Mother’s Day Breakfast in Spanish.

Crafts and Movie Time

What could be more fun than spending a Sunday morning doing arts and crafts? I must admit, I’m not the most artistic person, but I enjoy projects that involve the whole family. The little ones especially love it. It’s the perfect moment for me to engage them in conversation and practice Spanish. I often browse the web for easy Mother’s Day craft ideas.

Once we finish our crafts, we usually go out for dinner. However, if we prefer to stay in, our next favorite activity is ordering takeout and sitting together on the couch to watch a movie in Spanish. It’s a great way to reinforce the language without the children even realizing it.

Mother’s Day Cards in Spanish

Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to write letters in Spanish to the amazing women in our family. We sit together and let our children express themselves. It warms my heart to read their final drafts! We use blank paper or templates, depending on the children’s preferences.

Play and Have Fun!

For me, a perfect Mother’s Day in Spanish simply means spending quality time with my children. We enjoy a beautiful sunny day playing tag or soccer, or simply spend the afternoon playing Scrabble together. Drawing pictures, picking flowers, and exploring nature are some of our favorites.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day in Spanish, we embrace the beauty of our diverse backgrounds and the cherished memories from our past. It’s a time to create new traditions with our children and honor the amazing women in our lives. Let’s enjoy the songs, crafts, and heartfelt moments shared in Spanish, as we express our love and gratitude.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers out there! Treasure the joys of today and every day, appreciating the precious gift of motherhood.

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